Memory card formatting (Page 7): Oh, Ok. It was just floating there! So I had no idea WTH that was about! :sm05:...

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

Apaflo wrote:

Himself. He post a superficial article that was technically incorrect in each and every statement. He did not appreciate that being pointed out.

Oh, Ok. It was just floating there! So I had no idea WTH that was about!

Murray Loc: New Westminster

PAR4DCR wrote:

I always format the card in the camera I am using.

Don

Ditto

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

pdsdville wrote:

I'm hard put to understand that if a person has money to invest in two, three, or more cameras why they can't purchase more than one card. Good Lord, they are cheap. I have a bunch of cards and the first thing I do when putting a card in one of my cameras is.........format it. It doesn't take more than maybe 10 to 15 seconds and you're set. Why all the debate? Is the process too difficult, or is the photographer just too lazy? Just my two cents.

Thank you for your two cents. Hopefully I can save up enough to get my second card.

As far as being lazy,it is obvious that many respondents were too lazy to read the thread before answering. LOL!

It is no wonder that there have been so many complaints regarding the asking of a question here on the Hogg. You get many answers that don't address the question and frequently snide responses as well. Some great folks and some lazy folks....makes the world go round. Free entertainment!

Again,thanks to all!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Architect1776 wrote:

Too much info, who cares.

That is true for some, and not for others. If you don't care what the answers to questions are, perhaps another thread would provide better reading? Those who do want accurate answers don't need snide remarks when the discussion is over your head.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

DaveO wrote:

Is it advisable to format a card in a particular model for use in that model or is formatting a card in one model okay to use in any model of the same brand? I heard both methods and can't find a definitive answer. We have a D3100,D7100,D810 and D500.

How hard would it be to conduct a simple experiment?

I inserted an SD card I had been using for other stuff in my Sony A7, turned it on and saw the prompt, "Image database not found. Create?" The only possible answer was, "Yes" since otherwise there would have been no place for images. The camera created a DCIM folder with a sub-folder 100MSDCF. I took a couple of shots and that's where the images ended up.

I then moved the card to my D610. Since the DCIM folder already existed I got no prompt. The Nikon simply created a 101ND610 sub-directory. I suppose if I had more cameras to play with I might have ended up with more sub-directories under DCIM. I too a couple of more shots.

I then moved the card to my computer and all of the files were present - the original files and directories as well as the two folders created by the cameras and all of the image files. Neither camera could see the images from the other camera because it only looked in their respective directory.

So the simple answer is that you don't need to format the SD card at all unless you want to remove stuff you no longer want to keep in order to make room for more images. Formatting in the camera simply creates the needed DCIM and sub-directory.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

The correct answer looks to be overshadowed again and the myth of camera formatting will live on...

I hope the message that "formatting is good but not a singular function of a DLSR" gets through the usual imperious claims...not sure if it will

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

catchlight.. wrote:

The correct answer looks to be overshadowed again and the myth of camera formatting will live on...

I hope the message that "formatting is good but not a singular function of a DLSR" gets through the usual imperious claims...not sure if it will

Myths persist because some people spend a lot of time discussing without taking the trouble to do their own experimentation using their own cameras.

Seven pages and ruffled feelings on this trivial question? Really?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

DaveO wrote:

BTW,remember we talked about the shoulder strap with the arca-swiss release? I am pleased with it and it is quite functional for my use,particularly with larger lens uses.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

selmslie wrote:

Myths persist because some people spend a lot of time discussing without taking the trouble to do their own experimentation using their own cameras.

Seven pages and ruffled feelings on this trivial question? Really?

Posts like this are exactly what some have been complaining about more and more. Some have said they will no longer ask questions because of this behavior. There is the option that allows us to skip posts that aren't up to our standards. I expect it from some,but there always seems to be some helpful folks out there to keep the Hogg going.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

DaveO wrote:

Posts like this are exactly what some have been complaining about more and more. Some have said they will no longer ask questions because of this behavior. There is the option that allows us to skip posts that aren't up to our standards. I expect it from some,but there always seems to be some helpful folks out there to keep the Hogg going.

Did you get what you were looking for - an answer that was definitive?

As usual, there were a lot of responses that I am sure were helpful and even more that were uninformed. That seems to be typical.

Have you been able to separate the wheat from the chaff? If so, why complain?

I recall you stating back on page 3, "Thanks to all who responded! I am ending this thread,or at least my participation." But now you don't think 7 pages is a bit much?

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

selmslie wrote:

How hard would it be to conduct a simple experimen... (show quote)

Alas, You're right when it comes to SD cards (my knowledge on CF card or Sony Memory Stick standards is limited)shared among cameras (and indeed Android devices!) with regard to them creating their own subdirectories below "DCIM", My only real reason for formatting in each device is my version of OCD😛. If I use my Samsung point and shoot microSD card (with an adapter) in my Pentax DSLRs without formatting, I simply get a new subdirectory under DCIM. I pop it in an Android tablet, I get some more added subdirectories, but the cameras still "see" their own subdirectories! Try it with a new card as an experiment if you have multiple brands of SD card gear and a blank card! PS, By Subdirectories, I'm referring to "subfolders", Old 1980s command line terminology is forever implanted in my head, Kinda like when I slip up and say "ASA" when I mean "ISO"...🤔

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

catchlight.. wrote:

The correct answer looks to be overshadowed again and the myth of camera formatting will live on...

I hope the message that "formatting is good but not a singular function of a DLSR" gets through the usual imperious claims...not sure if it will

👍👍👍

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

James Slick wrote:

Alas, You're right when it comes to SD cards (my k... (show quote)

I don't share cards between cameras. That's why I had to actually do the experiment.

If you can afford a D810 and a D500 it seems like false economy to not have dedicated spare SD cards, especially if you are also planning to spend thousands traveling.

I would not even trust the SD or CF cards for more than a day. I back mine up to a PC each night and I don't delete anything until I have multiple backups.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

selmslie wrote:

I don't share cards between cameras. That's why I had to actually do the experiment.

If you can afford a D810 and a D500 it seems like false economy to not have dedicated spare SD cards, especially if you are also planning to spend thousands traveling.

I would not even trust the SD or CF cards for more than a day. I back mine up to a PC each night and I don't delete anything until I have multiple backups.

I usually don't share cards between devices as they're so cheap now. (I just experimented too for..... Science 😁)! As to reliability, backing up is always a good idea. OTOH the 32Gb card in my phone is several years old and has data still on it from the original phone I got it for.......Three phones ago!😲 In my experience SD cards (especially microSD) are extremely reliable if you stick with a known brand.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

James Slick wrote:

I usually don't share cards between devices as they're so cheap now. (I just experimented too for..... Science 😁)! As to reliability, backing up is always a good idea. OTOH the 32Gb card in my phone is several years old and has data still on it from the original phone I got it for.......Three phones ago!😲 In my experience SD cards (especially microSD) are extremely reliable if you stick with a known brand.

I have 10 SD cards that have been used and shared for untold thousands of images and thousands of hour of video/ audio for my channel on youtube between a 7D, 5DMIII and now a 5DMk4 over more than 5 years. All have performed flawlessly.

All have been properly formatted after each shoot on a PC and not with the camera.

Never ever have I had any issue and never have I had any need to use dedicated cards.

A properly formatted card is a universally formatted card and has nothing to do with the device they are used in. https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/

Today's cameras are designed to add the file information at power on to work within the standards set in 2000.

I stand behind what I say with actual data.